SAN FRANCISCO – Hall of Fame cornerman Freddie Roach is keeping his fingers crossed that Manny Pacquiao gets a call from Floyd Mayweather one of these days.
Appearing on ESPN Deportes, Roach said the recent exchange of social media posts between Pacquiao and Mayweather seems intriguing and he is hopeful that the two former holders of the mythical pound-for-pound title end up reaching a deal for a return meeting next year.
Pacquiao is fresh from posting a dramatic 12-round decision over previously unbeaten Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“I do think it’s possible,” said the 59-year-old Roach, who called the shots at ringside during Pacquiao’s victory over the Florida fighter who is ten years younger.
Mayweather, now 42, scored a unanimous decision over Pacquiao in May 2015.
As Pacquiao reverts his Senate job in the Philippines, Roach is at a loss as to who will the Filipino star is fighting next.
“I am a little unsure about who’s next,” said Roach, adding that the 40-year-old Pacquiao’s recent showing might have spooked Mayweather.
Pacquiao knocked down Thurman in the first round, had him in bad shape in the fifth round and almost pulled the plug on his foe’s gutsy bin in the tenth round with a crippling body blow, a performance that awed many experts.
Roach is upbeat that in the event of a rematch, Pacquiao is going to become the first to deal Mayweather his first loss in 51 fights. (NICK GIONGCO)
